29 March 2017

Profile: Birmingham City Korfball Club

Former England Korfball League side Birmingham City are aiming to put last season’s disappointment behind them and get back to the top league.

Birmingham spent the 2013/14 and 14/15 seasons in the England Korfball League – finishing 8th both times.

In 13/14 they notched up four wins and retained their place via the playoffs in the 10 team league, but the following season they finished bottom of a reduced eight team division with no victories to their name.

Last season, City missed out on promotion in the playoffs, but club President Rick Scowcroft feels confident this time round.

Better strength in depth

“We have a good chance at promotion this year,” he said.

“After last season’s disappointment of finishing fourth in the playoffs, we have added a few university graduates and now have better strength in depth.”

As well as the chance to improve as a squad, Rick said he would relish the challenge of a return to the top flight.

He said: “Playing every week against the best sides in the country is great for development.

“Trying to learn how to stop sides hitting 25+ goals against us, while attempting to score 20+ ourselves against high level defence, is something we would look forward to.”

University of Birmingham key to recent successes

Part of the club’s recent success has been its ties with the local University of Birmingham club which according to Scowcroft is “supplying us with some really good talent – hopefully the relationship can get stronger still”.

This season has been a good one for Birmingham, with just one defeat to date – a 17-18 reverse against fellow playoff team Bristol Thunder.

They will be hoping to repeat their opening day 19-18 win against Thunder in the playoffs, with Scowcroft recalling: “We had 50 minutes of control to build a six goal lead, but the last 10 minutes can be ignored – we won by one”

Scowcroft’s top moments of the season to date have been their opening win against Bristol Thunder, and scoring 30 goals against Castle.

Birmingham have played in the playoffs three times before – twice earning their place in the EKL for the following season.